Latest news with #DurangoHellcat
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
For 2026, Dodge gives the base GT model the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 and gives the R/T the 6.4-liter V-8.
The lineup exclusively features V-8 power. The base GT trim drops the Pentastar V-6 for the 5.7-liter Hemi engine, bringing an extra 65 horsepower and 130 pound-feet of torque. The R/T swaps out the 5.7-liter for the 6.4-liter Hemi, boosting output by 115 hp and 80 pound-feet of torque. Long live the V-8, declares Dodge. After beginning to shift away from the tried-and-true Hemi V-8 engine in favor of the newer Hurricane inline-six, the Trump administration's dismantling of emissions regulations has Dodge returning to its eight-cylinder-loving form. Earlier this year Dodge announced that the Durango Hellcat and its 710-hp supercharged engine would last for another year, and now the American automaker has revealed that all 2026 Durango SUVs will feature V-8 muscle. While the base Durango GT model was previously motivated by a 295-hp V-6 engine, its engine bay will now house the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, boosting output by 65 ponies to 360 horsepower. The V-8's 390 pound-feet of torque is also 50 percent higher than the 260 pound-feet produced by the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6. This cuts over a second from Dodge's claimed zero-to-60-mph time for the Durango GT, going from 7.4 to 6.2 seconds. The Durango R/T, which previously packed the 5.7-liter Hemi, also gets an upgrade, now carrying the 6.4-liter 392 Hemi V-8 for the 2026 model year. This also results in a notable increase in muscle for the R/T, with 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, up by 115 hp and 80 pound-feet. The top of the Durango range continues to be the SRT Hellcat, packing the supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V-8, bringing the brawn with 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet. Dodge claims the Hellcat model can rip from zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, and quotes a 180 mph top speed. The Hellcat also gains a Jailbreak edition that brings more customizability, with a wider array of color choices. The 2026 Durango GT will start at $44,490, $4000 higher than last year. The Durango R/T now starts at $51,990, identical to the price from 2025, while the 2026 Durango Hellcat tops the range with an entry price of $81,990, which is actually $5000 less than in 2025. Orders for the Durango GT and Hellcat open on August 13 before vehicles reach dealerships in the fourth quarter, with orders for the R/T starting later this year. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
Motor 1
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
The Dodge Durango Refuses to Die
Dodge has been suggesting the eventual demise of the Durango SRT Hellcat since its original reveal in 2020. Back then, the company planned to make about 2,000 units before ending production. Demand for the supercharged V-8-powered SUV never settled, though, so the company tacked on another 1,000 units for customers. That sentiment snowballed, and now, five years later, Dodge is still making Durango Hellcats for 2026, with no signs of stopping. We don't blame them. Despite first appearing in 2010, the third-generation Durango is still a sales leader for Dodge, with nearly 60,000 units sold in 2024. It's on pace to beat that number in 2025, with 34,399 examples sold through the first half of the year. Photo by: Dodge Photo by: Dodge Photo by: Dodge The Durango Hellcat, then, is the crown jewel of Dodge's current lineup. The company doesn't mess with a good thing for 2026, retaining the super-SUV's sporty, muscular looks and supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V-8 engine. As before, it's rated at 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque, sending power to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic. A revamped Jailbreak trim—inspired by the Jailbreak program seen on the Challenger SRT Demon 170—will allow buyers to choose "nearly any color imaginable" for their 2026 Durango Hellcat. Buyers can also choose between six wheel options, six exterior badge color choices, five racing stripe designs, and five interior colors. You can also option five-, six-, or seven-seat configurations, an Alcantara steering wheel, black exhaust tips, a suede headliner, a sunroof, and a black hood. The sheer number of choices means there are over six million unique combinations available, according to the brand. So if you're adventurous with your order, you'll likely have a one-of-one specification—especially if you go for a custom color. Dodge has yet to release pricing for the 2026 Durango SRT Hellcat, but says order books will open on August 11, with deliveries set to begin in Q4 of 2025. More on the Durango Hellcat Dodge Durango Hellcat Takes On Tesla Model Y Performance In All-American Drag Race Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Owner Considers Lawsuit Over 2023 Production Run Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Gallery: 2026 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Jailbreak 7 Source: Dodge Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Dodge Slapped With Two Durango-Related Lawsuits
Read the full story on The Auto Wire The Durango is at the center of two recent lawsuits filed by owners against Dodge for two very different reasons. One has to do with marketing practices, the other is more traditional with customers alleging a large flaw. Both could spell big trouble for the owners of the Durango Hellcat are upset because back when it debuted, then-CEO Tim Kuniskis said it would be a 'single model year run.' Many eagerly snatched up the high-powered crossover, only to later be shocked that Dodge didn't make 2021 the only model year for production. Instead, Dodge surprised everyone by announcing the return of the Durango Hellcat for the 2023 model year. Seven 2021 model year owners sued Dodge in 2023, but the case went to mediation for a possible resolution. However, that effort out of court failed recently, so the lawsuit is back on, as covered by Road & Track. The other lawsuit involves the Durango's famous 'racetrack' LED taillight, which apparently can be damaged by water, short circuit, and cost a lot of money to fix. The class action lawsuit filed recently says 2014 to 2023 model year Durangos have a defect that allows water intrusion into the taillight assembly. This means anything from rain, snow melt, even car washes can lead to water getting into the taillight, corroding connections, and shorting the whole thing out. But, according to Mopar Insiders, the class action lawsuit alleges other systems in the rear portion of the Durango can also fail as a result. Not only can your taillight go out, so can the reverse lights, license plate lights, even the rearview camera. Having to replace all of that gets expensive real fast. But it gets even worse. The lawsuit alleges that replacement taillight assemblies for the Durango still allow water to get inside, so the whole problem can happen over and over. Owners often notice condensation inside the taillight, then later things start going haywire. This comes at a time when the Dodge brand is already struggling with its image. The end of the line for the Challenger, the Charger transforming into something different, and sales being down combining with the lawsuits isn't great news for Dodge or parent company Stellantis. Images via Stellantis Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Dodge Durango's 'Racetrack' Taillights Short Circuit Due To Water, Cost $2,000 To Replace: Lawsuit
Dodge is currently facing lawsuits over the ancient Durango SUV on two fronts. In the first, angry Durango Hellcat owners are coming after the brand because they feel duped that Dodge continued production of the Hellcat after saying it would only be available for one model year. The second case is less frivolous: Durango owners have filed a class action suit over the SUV's distinctive "racetrack" LED taillights, and it's all because of water damage. Read more: Dodge Will Pay You $10 Per Horsepower To Buy A New Charger, Challenger, Or Durango According to Mopar Insiders, the class action suit is made up of owners of 2014 to 2023 Dodge Durangos; pre-facelift models sold from 2011 to 2014 don't have the racetrack lights, and the SUV's design hasn't been updated in the decade since the facelift came out. The owners claim the wraparound design of the Durango's large taillights makes them susceptible to water damage. This in turn can not only short circuit and damage the light itself, but also cause other electrical issues in the rear of the Durango. From Mopar Insiders: Water from sources like rain, car washes, melting snow, and other environmental factors allegedly enters the light assembly, leading to corrosion and burnout of the internal electrical components. Once water infiltrates the system, multiple essential rear-end systems are reportedly at risk of failure. These include the racetrack tail lights, backup lights, license plate lights, and even the rearview camera system. While it's not specified as to what exactly the owners want from Dodge when the outcome of the case is decided, those in the suit are going to have to wait awhile for a decision. Car Complaints says a pre-trial conference — which is just a meeting between the judge, plaintiff and defense lawyers about the case — won't happen until January 25, 2027. The 10-day trial won't start until a few days later, on February 1, 2027. A quick online search will show that Durango owners have had problems with the racetrack lights for years. Some owners have been giving instructions to others about how to drain the water from the light, which can be done but looks to be a lengthy process. Those that need to actually get the light replaced are in for a big repair bill, as just the lights by themselves are pricey. On the official Mopar parts website, the center tailgate lamp section will run you between $1,285 and $1,525 while the taillight on either side costs $684; the Mopar site has each piece on sale, and going through a wholesaler will save you a few hundred bucks on each part, but they're still expensive. From the looks of things, that's what owners are being charged for their repairs, too. Mopar Insiders says one Durango owner was quoted nearly $2,000 for the racetrack taillight replacement; another owner in Canada was quoted the same thing for the replacement light on their 2017 Durango, according to one owner forum. So how exactly is water getting into the light in the first place? It looks like it's just bad manufacturing. According to those same owner forums, multiple posters say they were told by Dodge techs that the light isn't being sealed properly during the Durango's production. One owner detailed how his light assembly wasn't sealed at the top, which let water into the light and led to an electrical burning smell filling the cabin. The dealer said there was a crack basically on the top of the track centered that was allowing water in. I saw it there for a while and figured it was part of the assembly. I had a really awful electrical burning smell in the cabin and come to find out it was the circuit board shorting out on the rear hatch. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Durango Hellcat Owners Sue Dodge Over Alleged Exclusivity Breach
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious Dodge is facing a class-action lawsuit from a group of 2021 Durango Hellcat owners who claim the automaker misled them about the SUV's exclusivity. The lawsuit, filed in Delaware, alleges that Dodge falsely marketed the high-performance vehicle as a limited-production model, only to revive it for later model years. At the time of its initial release, Dodge announced that the 2021 Durango Hellcat would be a one-year-only special edition, with press materials and statements reinforcing its limited availability. The company initially planned to produce 2,000 units, later expanding to 3,000. In January 2021, Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis reaffirmed the model's exclusivity, calling it a "single model-year run" and emphasizing its rarity. However, Dodge reversed course in 2022, announcing that the Durango Hellcat would return for the 2023 model year. This decision angered early buyers who had purchased the vehicle under the impression that its scarcity would make it a valuable investment. Seven plaintiffs initially sued, but their case stalled in mediation before being revived in court. The lawsuit contends that if buyers had known Dodge would continue producing the Durango Hellcat, they wouldn't have paid premium prices for what they believed was a rare, high-value collector's item. Plaintiffs claim Dodge's marketing directly influenced their decision to buy the vehicle, and they argue that the automaker's actions have devalued their investments. Dodge, now part of Stellantis, has defended its position, arguing that it never explicitly stated the Durango Hellcat would never return. The company claims that production constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic initially limited production, rather than an intentional strategy to create exclusivity. The outcome of the case could have broader implications for automakers and how they market limited-production vehicles.
